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Local militia plans February border watch
Jonathon Shacat/Wick Communications
BISBEE - Cochise County Militia, a local group, will hold a border watch event in February that is open to the members of the group as well as members of the public.
"The event is coming up from Feb. 1 to Feb. 14," said Bill Davis, founder and director of the militia. "Our confidential informants in Mexico say a big harvest was just completed, and drug mules are being assembled for February."
All illegal activity observed by participants will be reported to U.S. Border Patrol officials. Davis said he does not want to disclose the specific location of the event - other than to say eastern Arizona - because he intends to surprise the drug smugglers.
The event will be a 24-hour operation. People can come and go throughout the two-week period. Some are expected to participate for just one day, while others will stay all 14 days. Some will sleep in tents in the forest, while others will stay in motels when off duty.
Davis said that people who don't live near the border area may not realize there is a large number of illegal immigrants who enter the United States each day. And, they may not understand what kind of impact it has on homeowners living within 8 to 40 miles of Mexico.
"They lay in bed at night with their dogs barking, hearing strange noises outside, watching dark figures pass their bedroom windows, sometimes 20-50 in single file," he said. "They hope they don't have a home invasion, family members molested, vehicles stolen or narcotics dropped on their property for their animals and children to find."
Davis pointed out that people who are legally allowed to possess a handgun can carry it exposed in Arizona with no problem. He cautioned that he doesn't want participants to "wave them around" or do any target shooting during the event. Rifles and shotguns also may be carried, he added.
He suggests participants should keep the guns safeguarded in a low profile and "pray" they don't need to use them, because there could be serious consequences.
People can also bring pepper-gel spray or a stun gun, as these items will cause fewer problems if used, he added.
Davis also pointed out that one of the group's Oregon members will give a class on Feb. 1 in Tombstone regarding the Utah Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) permits.
The permits are valid in 35 states, and there is no need to be a Utah resident to get one. The cost is $50 for militia members and $60 for non-members.
Davis said people who are unable to attend the border watch event may consider making a small donation to the militia to help cover costs of necessities for the "patriotic people working the line."
Those interested in attending the free border watch event, in signing up for the Utah Permit classes, or in making donations to the effort can write to Davis at bdavis@cochisecountymilitia.org for more information.
Herald/Review reporter Jonathon Shacat can be reached at 515-4693 or by e-mail at jonathon.shacat@bisbeereview.net.
BISBEE - Cochise County Militia, a local group, will hold a border watch event in February that is open to the members of the group as well as members of the public.
"The event is coming up from Feb. 1 to Feb. 14," said Bill Davis, founder and director of the militia. "Our confidential informants in Mexico say a big harvest was just completed, and drug mules are being assembled for February."
All illegal activity observed by participants will be reported to U.S. Border Patrol officials. Davis said he does not want to disclose the specific location of the event - other than to say eastern Arizona - because he intends to surprise the drug smugglers.
The event will be a 24-hour operation. People can come and go throughout the two-week period. Some are expected to participate for just one day, while others will stay all 14 days. Some will sleep in tents in the forest, while others will stay in motels when off duty.
Davis said that people who don't live near the border area may not realize there is a large number of illegal immigrants who enter the United States each day. And, they may not understand what kind of impact it has on homeowners living within 8 to 40 miles of Mexico.
"They lay in bed at night with their dogs barking, hearing strange noises outside, watching dark figures pass their bedroom windows, sometimes 20-50 in single file," he said. "They hope they don't have a home invasion, family members molested, vehicles stolen or narcotics dropped on their property for their animals and children to find."
Davis pointed out that people who are legally allowed to possess a handgun can carry it exposed in Arizona with no problem. He cautioned that he doesn't want participants to "wave them around" or do any target shooting during the event. Rifles and shotguns also may be carried, he added.
He suggests participants should keep the guns safeguarded in a low profile and "pray" they don't need to use them, because there could be serious consequences.
People can also bring pepper-gel spray or a stun gun, as these items will cause fewer problems if used, he added.
Davis also pointed out that one of the group's Oregon members will give a class on Feb. 1 in Tombstone regarding the Utah Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) permits.
The permits are valid in 35 states, and there is no need to be a Utah resident to get one. The cost is $50 for militia members and $60 for non-members.
Davis said people who are unable to attend the border watch event may consider making a small donation to the militia to help cover costs of necessities for the "patriotic people working the line."
Those interested in attending the free border watch event, in signing up for the Utah Permit classes, or in making donations to the effort can write to Davis at bdavis@cochisecountymilitia.org for more information.
Herald/Review reporter Jonathon Shacat can be reached at 515-4693 or by e-mail at jonathon.shacat@bisbeereview.net.
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ETA wrote on Jan 13, 2009 8:47 PM:
People can also bring pepper-gel spray or a stun gun, as these items will cause fewer problems if used, he added."
Excuse me but, the only surprise will be on the part of those that try to use pepper spray on a drug runner with an AK-47. Reporting smuggling activity to the authorities is admirable. Advising people to bring pepper spray to protect themselves in a literal war zone is dumber than dumb.
Plan A: Tell the smugglers via the media that you are going to "surprise" them by sending people to the border with pepper spray to practice drug interdiction.
Wow! What is plan B in case plan A doesn't work?
I am sure the drug smugglers will be shaking in their boots. They may routinely assasinate high ranking police officials, murder soldiers and cut off the heads of anyone that gets in their way but, they will surely run for their lives when the Cochise Militia jumps from behind the bushes, yells BOO! and sprays away with Jalapeno pepper sauce! "